Apparatus for gauging glassware



J1me 1944- w. J. FEDORCHAK ETAL 2,352,091

I APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE 1'2 Sheet s-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1941 W1]: Fedancka k 14. 5. Ja cl: 40m

INVENTOR5 ATTOR N E YS V June 2%, 1944-,

Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 WJFdarc/c ATTORNEYS June 20, 1944. w. .1. FEDORCHAK ET AL 2,352,091

. APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 EMlTY SPINDLE i46 VACUUM CONTROL f wJEdw'ck-ak ATTORNEYS June 20, 1944. w. J. FEDORCHAK ET AL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 WJZdanc/zak 14. 5 Jackdovz INVENTORS BYM 9%? ATTORNEYS June 29, 1-944.

w. J. FEDORCHAK ET AL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVE NTORS ATTORNEYS jam 2% W. J. FEDORCHAK ET AL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE l2 Sheets-"Sheet 7 wJ idarrch/aic Filed Feb. 5, 1941 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS June 12% 1%44, w. J. FEDQRCHAK ET AL.

APPARATUS FOR GAUGING- GLASSWARE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 shets-sheet a [I IN VACUUM D15 TRIBUTIMG HEAD VACUUM CONTROL VALVE UNIT 10g;

TIMER LE AK ER SWITCH" 60 wdfidachaic 4-32 HEIGHT a 42; GAU E INVENTORS ATTORNEYS SOLENQID w. J. FEDORCHAK ET AL- I 2,352,091

APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE June 20,

Filed Feb. 5, I941 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 AfifJacZdm.

INVENTORS ATTORNEYS June 20, 1944. w. J. FEDORCHAK ET AL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE Fiied Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet, 1:0

ROUND WARE GAUGE v 190 WARE GAUGE ROUND $72 WJFedMM 467 A.5.Jack4a-n INVENTORS ATTORNEYS June 20, 1944. w. J. FEDORCHAK EIAL 2,352,091 I APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWABE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 TIMER FLAT WARE IIII' A.5.Jac/Cm 67 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 20, 1944-.

I W. J. FEDORCHAK ET AL APPARATUS FOR GAUGING GLASSWARE Filed Feb. 5, 1941 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 N N Vllzli'edancizak AS rj ack4 an INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented June 20; 1944 cmsswaita William J. Fedorchak, Granite City, and Albert s.

Jackson, Wood River, 11]., assignors to Owens- Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application February 5, 1941, Serial No. 367,468

30 Claims. (ci.2o9-'- sa) Our invention relates to apparatus for gauging bottles, jars and other glassware, testing them for a variety of imperfections, and automatically discarding defective ware. In the manufacture of glass bottles, jars and similar ware; it is practically. impossible to produce uniformly perfect articles owing to the inherent nature of the glass which must be molded while in a hot plastic-condition. While in such condition and during the gathering and blowing of the glass in the molds and the cooling,'hardening and annealing processes, it is subject to many influences tending to distort the glass and introduce other imperfections.

- At the present day it is the universal practice for trained inspectors, called selectors, to inspect the ware as it is taken from the annealing leer, discarding those articles having imperfections which are detected visually as the articles are rapidly.-

handled. Modern requirements for commercial ware are exacting as to size, shape, capacity, finish, etc. This is particularly true, for example, in regard to bottles which are to be filled and sealed by automatic machinery which does not permit of. any material deviations in size, shape or finish of the bottles. Further, in the use of such automatic filling machinery, it is customary to introduce a filling tube or nozzle into the neck of the :bottle and for satisfactory operation the interior of the bottle neck must be accurate as to size and shape.

A further defect which is frequently found in bottles and other glass containers relates to small leaks or pinhole openings through the glass, which may be the result of seeds or air bubbles embedded in the glass and breaking through the walls of the container. It is impossible by the usual methods of inspection to detect many of carding any defective articles, while those which stand the tests are conveyed to a packing table or otherreceiving means.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a machine'or apparatus forautomatically gauging and testing bottles in accordance with the principles of ourinvention:

Figs. 1 and 2 are side elevations of the machine as viewed respectively from opposite. sides of the machine. 1

Fig. 3 is a part sectional plan view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary part-sectional plan view on a larger scale.

Fig. 4A is a detail view showing amicro-switch for controlling the vacuum valves when empty spindles are presented'toflthe testing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus, the section being taken substantially at the line 5 -5 on Fig. 1. a

'Fig. 6 is a part-sectional plan'view taken at the line 6-6 on Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional elevation at the line 1'I on Fig. 3.

Fig. Bis a longitudinal sectional elevation at the line 8-8 on Fi 3.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing a vacuum valve mechanism and the electric timer.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the overall height gauge. v

Fig. 11 is a section at the line I l-|l on Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation showing means for actuating an electric switch which controls the closing of the vacuum valves. Fig. 13 is a sectional detail at the line l3-l3 on Fig. 4 illustrating a vacuum valve closing means.

the defects by which th articles fail to meet standard requirements.

An object of our invention is to provide automatic gauging and testing apparatus which will register defects such as above noted and by which the bottles or other articles which are defective are automatically segregated and discarded. Such defective bottles include bottles either longer or shorter than the specified length, leaky bottles (called leakers) bottles with imperfect finish or imperfect neck openings, bottles out-ofround or otherwise irregular as to size or shape, bottles which lean (-leaners) owing to rounded, irregular or defective bottoms, bottles with sunken or bulgeclsides, oversize and undersize bodies, bottles with mold seams or other irregularities and various other defects.

A further object of the invention is to provide Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive are sectional plan views of the timer and distributing mechanism, the

sections being taken at the correspondingly designated lines on Fig. 9.

and arrangement ofthe apparatus now be Fig. 19 is a part-sectional elevation showing a bottle holding and gauging unit and alsoshowing an out-of-round" gauge. Fig. 20 is a plan view of the gauge.

Fig. 21 is a section at theline 2l- 2 l on Fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a part-sectional elevation of an electrical timer used in connection with a gauge for flat ware.

Fig. 23 is a section at the line 23-23" on Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a sectional plan view at the line 24--24 on Fig. 23. r

Fig. 25 is a plan view showing a gauge for flat ware.

Fig.' 26 is apparatus.

out-of-round a wiring. diagram'of the electrical A'brief descriptionof the general construction .-"92,352, 91, mswam-Em opened automatically, as

' or does not come event the travel of the The apparatus comprises a series ofgauging carries' at its lower end a nozzle 33 which serves as a filling tube gauge and is adapted to enter the =mouth of a bottle 34 when the spindle is lowered and seats on the bottle. The plunger when thus seated seals the bottle, permitting suction to be applied through the nozzle for forming a partial'vacuur'n within the bottle. The hollow spindles 32 35 to an annular series of suction valve units 35 (Figs. 1'; 3, 8, 9) individual to said spindles. The valve units are attached to a vacuum distributing head 3l-mounted on a continuously rotating shaft 38. Each of the valve units 36 includesa suction or vacuum valve hereinafter described, whereby suction is applied to the bottle and a partial .vacuum produced responding spindle has been lowered to seat on a bottle, providing the bottleis the correct height and the spindle properly positioned therein. As the gauging unit 30 advances, the spindle is lifted by a' stationary can and-the bottle, held thereon by suction, is also lifted and held in sus-.

pension.

If'the overall length the bottle is incorrect the spindle when thebottle-is too tall or will be carried below normalposition'if the bottle is too short. .In either spindle will cause it to operate a micro-switchcontrolling a solenoid S (Figs. 4 and 9) suction will be applied to the bottle and therefore it will not be lifted with the spindle but will remain on the conveyor 85 and be carried thereby into the discard. If, onthe other hand, vacuum has been produced and maintained in the bottle,

it will be liftedand carried with-the spindle for further tests.;-

If, for any reason, the lifting spindle when lowered onto abqttle fails to make a perfect seal owing, for example, to a defective finish, or if the bottle is I owing to a rocker bottomtbent neck or other sealed to, the. lifting-spindle are connected by flexible'pipes 39 (Fig. 9) which is therein when the corwithin the prescribed limits; V lowered onto the bottle will either-be held thereby above normal position if which intum operates to prevent v -.theopening-of the suction valve. Accordingly no not accurately aligned with the nozzle,

. assaoai given, followed by a more detailed description.

herein referred to as an out-of-round gauge, is provided for testing round bottles to determine whether or not the bodies of the bottles are per-.

fectly round and free from irregularities, bulges, high seams, etc.,' and of discard any bottle that is defective in any of these respects Such gauging mechanism also operates a micro-switch which controls means for opening the vacuum valve and releasing the defective bottle'so that it is deflected by a switch 43 onto a conveyor 44 which delivers the defec-' tive ware to a table 45.

A more detailed description of the mechanism will nowbe given. The gauging apparatus as a whole is supported on a machine base 50 (Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7, 8) from which rises a standard 5|. A frame member 52, channel-shaped in cross-section, embraces the standard 5| and is adjustable up and down thereon, for adjusting the gauging mechanism up and down to accommodate bottles of difierentheights. Adjusting means for this purpose includes a non-rotatable screw shaft 5| (Fig. 8) fixed to frame member 52, a worm wheel 5| threaded on the screw shaft,.and a worni shaft 5! to which is attached a hand crank 5| (Fig. 2). The frame member 52 provides a rigid support for the framework in which driving mechanism for the chainof gauging units is mounted. Said Y trained over driven sprocket wheels 60 framework includes a 53 or floor and an upper table or platform 54 lower horizontal platform united thereto by an integral web 54*.

The vertical supporting bars 3| of the gauging by links to form endless lower and upper sprocket drive wheels 51 and 58 respectively (Fig 8), said wheels being keyed to a drive shaft 59. The sprocket chains are also and 6! (Figs. 5 and 8) mounted on a shaft 62, the latter journalled in a yoke 63. The yoke is formed 54, said construction permitting adjustment to take up slack in the chains.

The driving mechanism comprises an electric motor 66 (Figs. 1 and 7) mounted in the machine base and connected through a variable iustment of the framework 53, 54, carrying the gauging mechanism.

frames 3| while said frames are traveling in. a

- straight line. Keyed to the shafts 59 and 62 for rotation therewith are rotary supporting members inthe form of wheels 72, the peripheries 13 vacuum established "within the bottle. and it will The vacuum-distributor 31 65 P8 preventsthe bottle from being held by suction" until the test haslbeen completed, it=will drop-oil the .spindleonto the conveyor i'85 when the vacv uum is dissipatedand, thusbe discarded;

, The bottles which have stood this test are car-gv ried with-theispindles fora still further test. A body gauge mechanism? (Figs.

, 18 keyed to the vertical shaft 38.

"rotation ph the shaft :8. lower end of the shaft 8| is driven by a gear 83 of which provide circular tracks onto which the rolls 7| run and by w ch the gauge frames 3! are supported as they travel in an are about the axes of said shafts. a

(Fig. 8) in which a vacuum is. continuously maintained, is driven from the shaft 59 through a train of gears rtial or which carries agear 71 in mesh with a gear A-bevel gear 82 on the the correct size, and to' vacuum head. With keyed to the shaft 18. It will be noted that the gearing is proportioned to drive the timer at a higher angular speed than the shaft 38 and the particular construction shown, the speed is so proportioned that the timer makes one complete rotation for every six gauging units coming under its control, the timer mechanism being designed to control six of the gauging units at a time. This greatly simplifies the mechanism and reduces the number of parts which would be required by a timer making one rotation for each cycle of the gauging units 38.

The bottles 34 which are to be gauged may be still, effects this closing movement beforethere is any substantial compression of the spring I8l.

The latter is compressed to a greater or lesstransferred directly from the annealing leer to the gauging machine traveling conveyor 85 (Figs. 2 and 6). The

bottles are correctly spaced and timed to be lifting spindles by means of a timer device 88* and a star wheel 88. The parts 88, 88 are driven from the gearing in the gear case 88, through a gear train including a shaft 88". is brought beneath and in register with a spindle 32, the latter is lowered so that the nozzle 33 enters the neck of the bottle. The lifting and lowering movements of the spindle are controlled by a stationary track 81 (Figs. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8) Each spindle carries a roll 88 running on said track. The track includes dip sections 81* (Fig. 2), 81 and 81 (Fig. 1) at a level below that of the main portion of the track, permitting the liftin spindles to be lowered as hereinafter described. As each bottle is brought beneath a spindle by the conveyor 85, the section 81 of the cam track permits lowering of the spindle so that the nozzle 33 enters the bottle.

The construction of a gauging unit 38 will now be described, reference being had, for example, to Figs. 8 and 19. The supporting her or frame 3| is formed with upper and lower hearing sleeves 89 inwhich the tubular spindle 32 is mounted for rotation and for vertical reciprocation. Attached to the lower end of the spindle is a head comprising an inner block or disk 98 surrounded by a sleeve 9I provided with exterior.

screw threads. The disk 98 carries a sealing pad 92 of rubber or other suitable material for seating on the lip of the bottle and forming a hermetic seal. The nozzle 33 is formed with a shank extending upwardly through the sealing pad and disk 98 and is secured within the latter by a set screw 93.

A pair of gripping jaw 94 are pivotally mounted on a supportingring 95 threaded on the sleeve 9|. The pivot pins 98 for the jaws are mounted in lugs formed on the ring 95. A sleeve 91 mounted to slide up and down on the spindle 32 has threaded thereon a cap 98 which has sl t and pin connections 99 with the gripping jaws 94. It will be seen that with this construction, up and down movement of thecap 98 on the spindle will cause opening and closing movement of the jaws.

A light coil spring I88 held under compression between the cap 98 and the ring 95 serves tov hold the jaws 94 in open position while the spindle is lowered. A coil spring IN is mounted on the spindle 32 above the sleeve 91. A. collar I82 mounted on the spindle above the spring I8I and which may be attached to said spring is free to slide up and down on the spindle.

When the spindle 32 is lowered, the pad 92 seats on the neck of the bottle. Suction is then appliedas hereinafter described to produce a partial vacuum within the bottle, so that when the spindle is raised, the bottle is lifted. The

by means of-the horizontal brought directly beneath and in register with the V When a bottle degree during the final upward movement of the spindle depending on the diameter of the bottle neck whichdetermines the closed position of the jaws. The gripping jaws 94, although not always essential to the gauging operation, serve the important function of holding the bottle rigidly and preventing any side swing which might interfere with accurate gauging.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, each suction valve unit 38 includes a block I85 attached by bolts I88 to the vacuum distributing head 31. The vacuum valve 39 therein is closed by a spring 48and is opened by means of a slide I81 mounted on the lower face of the block I85 for movement radially of the distributor head. The slide is actuated by means of cams including a valve opening-cam I88 (Figs. 4 and 9) which projects into the path the valve 39 for venting the bottle and therebv dissipating the vacuum. The cam II2 (Fig. 9)

for opening the relief valve I I8 is so arranged that when the slide IN is in its outermost position (Fig. 9) the relief valve is open and the suction valve 39 is closed. When the slide is moved to an intermediate position the relief valve is closed while the suction valve remains closed. When the slide is moved to the limit of its inward movement, the suction valve 39 is opened while the relief valve remains closed.

When a gauging unit 38 during its travel is brought to the dip section 81 of the cam (Fig. 2) and lowered, the nozzle of said unit enters the bottle at position 34 and the lifting spindle normally seats on and seals the bottle, assuming the bottle to be of the correct height. The cam I88 (Fig. 4) now engages the cam roll I 89 individual to the bottle under test and moves ing the vacuum valve and applying suction to the bottle. Immediately or very shortly after the cam I88 has thus operated, a stationary cam I44 engages the cam roll and moves it outwardly to its intermediate position in which the suction valve 39 is closed while the relief valve remains closed, thereby leaving the bottle sealed with a partial vacuum therein. This permits the bottle to be tested for leaks and other imperfections as hereinafter described.

If, when the gauging unit 38is lowered by the cam section 81*, the lifting spindle is arrested either above or below the normal position, owing to the bottle being either longer or shorter than the specified length or if, for any other reason,

the spindle is not brought to its normal lowered position, then the opening of the suction valve by the cam I88 is prevented. The preventing means includes a solenoid electromagnet S (Figs. 4 and 9) which operates to withdraw the cam I88 downward out of the path of the cam roll.

contact blocks is effected shaft I20 as by means of causes the block frame Ill mounted for up movement on a frame II3. Coil compression springs I I5 normally hold the cam in its lifted position in the path of the cam rolls I09. When the solenoid is energized, its armature H6 is moved upwardly and rocks a shaft II! which is Journaled in the frame H3 and connected to th armature through a rock arm I I 6 (Fig. 4). A second rock arm I" on said shaft engages the frame I II and draws it downward when the solenoid is energized and the shaft III is rocked.

The solenoid S overall height gauge I I8 (Figs. 5, 10, 11). This gauge includes a stationary standard H9 in which is journalled a vertical shaft I20 formed with right and left-hand screw threads on which bushings I2I and I Hate threaded. A tubular shaft I 23 having ball bearings I24 is mounted to oscillate about the axis of the shaft I20. Upper and lower contact blocks I25 and I26 journalled on the bushings I2I and I 22 respectively are movable up and down therewith for adjusting said blocks toward and from each other. Said blocks extend through a slot I26 in the tubular shaft I23 and provide a connection for rotating the shaft. Vertical adjustment of the by rotating the screw worm gearing including a hand operated worm shaft I28 and worm gear I 29.

Each of the lifting spindles 32 carries a contact block I3I which, as it travels past the gauge II8, passes I26 providing the bottle under test is the correct height and the lifting spindle is properly seated thereon. If the bottle is too tall, the block I 3| will strike the upper contact block I25 and if the bottle is too short, it will strike thelower and down. sliding block I26. In either event the tubular shaft I23 is rotated against the tensionof a light coil spring I32 which returns said shaft after the block I3I has passed the gauge. The rotation of the shaft I23 operates a micro-switch I30 (Fig. 11) which comprises a finger in engagement with a flat contact surface I 30 on the shaft I23. The micro-switch, as hereinafter described, controls a circuit for the solenoid S (Fig. 9). In order to permit a backward rotary movement of the shaft I23 in the event that the machine is run backward manually for adjustment or other purpose, the following construction is provided (Figs. 10, 11). Arms I23- are attached to the bushings HI and I 22 and extend radially outward therefromthroughaslot I 23 intheshaft I23. Said arms are held by a coil tension spring I 23 against a bearing surface I23 on the standard II 8. This construction permits backward rotation of the shaft I23 if the machine is run backward and I3I to strike a contact block I25 or I26. Sufficient backward rotation of the shaft I23 i permitted to allow the block I3I to pass the gauge, said shaft being then returned by the spring I23.

If the height gauge H8 is operated as above described owing to the bottle under test not being the correct height so that the microswitch I30 is operated, the solenoid S operates in the manner above described and draws the cam I08 out of the path of the corresponding cam roll I09. The suction valve therefore remains closed and as a result there is no suction .applied within the bottle under test. After a cam roll I03 has passed the cam I08, the-corresponding lifting spindle is raised a short disis under the control of an been applied within the bottle.

1 2,852,091 The cam I08 is attached to the upper end of a tame by a cam section 81 (Fig. 2) which is at a somewhat higher level than the section 8!' and thereby lifts the bottle under test a short distance above the conveyor 85 providing the cam I08 has operated normally so that suction has If, however, the solenoid has operated, owing to the bottle being of incorrect height or for other cause, so that no suction is applied, then the bottle remains on the conveyor and is carried thereby into the discard. I I

It sometimes happens that when the plunger has been lowered onto a bottle at position 3-! (Fig. 2) and the corresponding suction valve has been opened by the cam I08, the bottle may not be vacuumized. This may be due to failure of the pad 92 (Fig. 19) to make a perfect seal where the finish of the bottle is defective or may be due to some other irregularity or defect in the bottle. The plunger in this case also will fail to lift the bottle which will then be carried into the discard.

between the contact blocks I25 and which is controlled by thus lowered, the cam roll When a bottle successfully passes the test by the height gauge and is vacuumized so that the plunger succeeds in lifting the bottle, a test is applied for slow leakage. This test is dependent upon the operation of the stationary cam I (Fig. 4) to close the vacuum valve, sealing the bottle with a partial vacuum therein as heretofore described. If there is a slow leak due to any cause such as a pin hole opening, an imperfect bottle lip or other defect, the vacuum is gradually dissipated. As a result the bottle is released from the lifting spindle and drops onto the conveyor by which it is carried into the discard.

If the bottle passes the above described tests as to height, slow leakage, etc., the corresponding vacuum valve 39 is again opened and suction applied and maintained while the bottle is carried by the spindle conveyor to the, opposite side of the machine for a further test. The means for thus opening the vacuum the path of the cam rolls I09. If a bottle fails to pass the test so that it remains on the conveyor 85, it actuates means for rendering the cam I43 inoperative to open the vacuum valve for the spindle from which the defective bottl has been released. Such means includes a solenoid S the electrical circuit of an arm I35 (Figs. 2, 6 and 12) extending over the conveyor 85 into the path of the bottles. This arm is carried on a tubular rock shaft I36 mounted to oscillate about a post I31. A micro-switch I38, herein referred to as a leaker switch, comprisesa movable contact finger or operating element which engages a flat surface I39 formed on the shaft I 36. Rotation of the shaft operates the micro-switch and thereby closes a relay circuit (as hereinafter described) controlling the solenoid 8* (Figs. 4 and '7). The solenoid has operating connections with the cam I 43 for lowering the latter when the solenoid is energized, said connections being of substantially the same construction as those between the solenoidS' and cam I08 as heretofore described. When the solenoid is energized its armature MI is moved upward and MI and rock shaft I42 to lower the cam I43 out of the path of the cam rolls I09. The cam being remains in its outer position as it passes the cam. so that the associated vacuum valve 39 remains closed. This prevents dissipation of the vacuum from the system valve comprises a cam operates through a rock arm operate in the same manner as an under-height bottle so that the cam I68 is withdrawn from p the path of the cam roll I03 which controls the vacuum line for such empty spindle, and the valve slide retains its outer posltion with the suction valve closed. When the cam roll reaches the cam I43 it would be operated thereby to open the suction valve and thus open the vacuum system to the atmosphere through theempty lifting spindle, unless such cam operation were prevented. In this connection it will be noted that there is no bottle to operate the arm I36 for effecting an operation of the solenoid S. In order to prevent 'such opening of the vacuum system the following mechanism is provided. A micro-switch I45", herein referred to as an empty head switch, (Figs. 4 and 4A) is mounted on the cam I43 and comprises an operating pin I45 projecting into the path of the cam rolls I09. Themicro-switch I45 controls a circuit for the solenoid S. When a cam roll corresponding to the empty spindle nears the cam I43 it engages the pin I45 and actuates the micro-switch, thereby establishing a circuit for the solenoid S2. This causes the solenoid to draw the cam I43 downward out of the path of the cam roll before the latter can be operated. by the cam. Opening of the vacuum valve is thus prevented. Operation of the microswitch I45 by a cam roll when its vacuum valve is closed and thevalve slide in its intermediate position (assumed when a vacuumized bottle is 3 carried on the spindle) is prevented because the switch element I45 does not project into the path in which the cam roll then travels.

While a vacuumized bottle is held in suspension by the spindle, it is gauged for body dimensions. Round bottles are gauged by the out-of-' round gauging mechanism '41 (see Figs. and 6). The bottle is rotated while it traverses the gauging mechanism which, as fully described hereinafter, includes twin gauging devices or units arranged one in advance of the other and each of which operates during the rotation of the bottle through 180. This gauging mechanism is divided into two gauging devices in order to shorten the time required for the individual gauging op-.- erations when the distance between the adjoining spindles is insuflicient to allow a complete rotation and gauging of each bottle by a single gauging device.

5 The means for rotating the bottles includes segmental racks I46 (Figs. -3, 4, 8) individual to the spindles, each rack having a pivotal mounting I48 on the upper end of the bar 3|. A cam roll I41 on the segment'nms in a cam track I49 (Fig. 3) formed on the under face of a stationary cam plate I50 while the bottle is traveling along the gauge 41. The cam track is so shaped that it rotates the segment I46 which runs in tion of the spindle '32, thereby rotating the spindle and the bottle suspended thereby. A swivel joint I5I (Fig. 8) connects the tubular spindle with the pipe 35 and thereby permits such rotation.

The cam roll I41as it approaches the cam track 70 I49 is guided along an arc-shaped track I49 which holds the rack and spindle against'rotation. A track I49 at the opposite end of the spindle conveyor is arranged to guide the cam tact rods.

in a reverse direction preliminary to a succeeding operation.

" The body gauge or "out-of-round gauging mechanism 41 (Figs. 1, 6, 6, I, '19, 20, 21) is carried on a supporting frame I slidably mounted in guides I6I for adjusting the gauge toward and from the path of the bottles. A second frame I62 also slidably mounted in the guideways I6I carries a guid bar I63 in position to engage the bottles at the side opposite from the gaug'ing mechanism, for supporting and guiding the bottles during the gauging operation. The slidableframes or members I60 and I62 are adjustable by means of a rod I64 having right and left hand screw-threaded engagement with said frames and rotatable by means of a hand'crani: I65.

The mechanism which is supported on the frame I63 includes a base plate I66 and a pair of posts I66 rising therefrom. Mounted on the posts and adjustable up and down thereon is a supporting frame I61. A clamping screw I68 (Fig 20) holds theframe inits adjusted position. -A pair of L-shaped supporting bars I69 carried by the frame I61 each includes an arm I69 extending lengthwise of the frame I61 and slidably supported in guideways I10 in said frame.

Y The bars I69 are adjustable toward and from the bottles by means of adjusting screws "I having screw-threaded engagement with the arms I69 and are held in adjusted position by a clamping block I12 (Figs. 20 and 21). The clamping block fits in an opening in the frame I61 and is clamped to the arms I69 by a clamping bolt I13. Each of the supporting bars I69 carries a contact bar I15 adapted to engage a bottle while the latter is being tested. Each bar I15 is pivotally connected to the forward ends of a pair of bell crank levers I16 mounted on pivot pins I11,

said pins having bearings in the bar I69 and abar "8' spaced thereabove. A connecting rod I16 parallel with the contact bar I15 is pivotally connected to the opposite ends of the levers I16. The contact bar I15-is moved forward and ,held against the bottle which is under test by means of a coil spring I80.

Standards I8I rise from the base plate I65 and areformed at their upper ends each with a table I82. Associated with each table is a pair of vertical rock shafts I63 joumalled with ball bearings at their upper ends in the table and at their lower ends in the base plate. A micro-switch I84 associated with the gauging mechanismincludes a pair of vertical contact rods I84 carried by rock arms I85 on the shafts I83, said rods being I64, the latter being spaced to permit. a small clearance between said arm and contact rods..

Attached to the upper ends of the rock shafts 0 I83 are rock arms I61. Springs I88 hold the free ends of the rock arms against a stop. block I89 and thereby determine the position of the conthe distance between the rods. While a bottle 34 is traversing the gauge, it rolls along the bar I15 which is held in contact therewith by the spring I60. If the bottle is of the specified dirolls in a path by which the racks I46 are rocked 75 with one of the rods I84. This sets up a ciri The block I89 is adjustable by means of an adjusting screw I90 for adjustably varying mesh with gear teeth formed on the upper por- 65 cuit controlling a solenoid S? (Fig. 4) which is operated later under the control of the timing mechanism as hereinafter described for causing the defective bottle to be discharged. Owing to the rotation of the bottle as it traverses the outof-round gauge, the latter is operated also by bottles having any defects-in the nature of a bulge. f

in the side of the bottle, a sunken wall, a mold seam or similar defect or when the bottle is not perfectly round.- Q

Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, a continuously traveling enless conveyor I 9I below the path of the suspended bottles and moving in the same direction as the bottle carrying spindles, is in po-' sitlon to receive any bottle released from its spindle after passing the out-of-round gauge 41. A defective bottle is released to this conveyor on the left hand side of the switch or deflector 43 and directed thereby onto the conveyor 44, the latter being parallel with and traveling in the same direction as the conveyor I9I.' The defective bottle is deflected from the conveyor 44 by valve shortly before such roll comes within the range of the arm I98.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the bottles are held suspended by the lifting spindles dies while passing the gauge 41 and just after they have passed the gauge are lowered by means of the dip section 81". The cam I 91 operates a cam roll I09 when the latter reaches the position I09 (Fig. 4), the associated gauging unit 30 being at this time in the position 30. If the circuit for the solenoid S has been set up by a defective ibottle passing through the gauge 41, the solenoid is operated and moves the corresponding cam roll I09 outward about the time the bottle is lowered by the dip cam 81, thus closing the vacuum valve and venting the bottle so that it is released onto the conveyor I! and discharged ontothe ofiware table 45. If the bottle has passed the test of the gauge 41 it is again lifted by its spindleafter passing the dip section 81 and is thus carried over the deflector 43 and is then lowered onto the conveyor I9I by the dip section 81 of the cam track.

A stationary cam I88 (Fig. 4) is positioned and arranged to moveeach cam roll I09'to its outermost position after the corresponding lifting spindle has passed the deflector 43 and is advancing along the dip section 81 so thatthe vacuum valve is closed and the bottle vented to the atmosphere. This releases it from its lifting spindle, leaving the bottle on the conveyor I9I while the spindle is lifted as it moves oi the dip section 81. The bottles-which have thus passed all the tests are carried by the conveyor I9I to a packing station or to packaging mechanism by which they are packed in cartons.

The timer 80 by which the operations of the electrical control devices are timed and controlled is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, and 14 to 18, and diagrammatically in Fig. 26. The timer includes a cylindrical casing 200 mounted on the platform 54 concentric with the tubular timer shaft 8I which extends upward therethrough. A

' 2", and electrically connected series of rotary contact carrying timer elements or disks by interposed spacing disks 202 'terial. The timer disks of insulatingmaare designated respec- 1' and I8 Cooperating with each timer disk-is a stationary contact carrying ring 208 of insulating material mounted on the inner surface of the casing. The number of contacts carried by both the stationary and rotary elements varies; Each said stationary contact is mounted in a holder 204 (Fig. 15) attached by screws 205 to the ring. The contact 208 mounted therein is yieldingly inengagement with the cooperating rotary disk and the contacts carried thereby. The rotary I timer disk I6 carries diametrically opposite con-- tacts 2I3 and 2 connected by a conductor 2I5. It also carries two intermediate pairs of contacts, namely, electrically connected contacts 2I8 and 2I9. The timer disk I6 and its contacts are a duplicate of those shown in Fig; 16, the contacts being numbered (Fig. 26) respectively 220, 22I, 222, 223, 224 and 225. The contact disk I1 carries six contacts uniformly spaced about its periphery, designated respectively 226, 221, 228, 229, 230 and 23L These contacts are electrically connected in two groups of three con-' tacts each, the contacts 226, 228 and 230 being connected by a conductor 232 and the other contacts connected by a conductor 233. The timer disk I 8 carries six contacts 238 and 239, all electrically by an annular conductor 240.

A fiat ware body gauge 250 (Fig. 25) is used for gauging the bodies of bottles 25I or other ware having flat sides, or panelware. Either the gauge 250 or the gauge 41 may be used alternatively, depending on the shape of the articles being tested, the gauges being interchangeable and the same supporting base serving as a mounting for either gauge. The construction of the gauge 250 is in the main identical with that of the gauge 41 heretofore described except that one contact bar I15 connected together A flat ware timer 255 (Figs. 22, 23, 24, 26) is used in connection with the gauge 250 and in addition to the timer 80. a circuit for the switch The timer 255 controls 253 and determines the length of time said switch is operative while an articles is passing through the gauge 250. It may be desired, for example, in testing panelware, to maintain a circuit for the switch 253 only while the contact 252 is traversing a panel or other deof the bottle. By adjust-' fined surfaceportion ing the timer the presently described gauging may be confined to such particular or defined section of the article.

are keyed to the shaft 8I and spaced held by a coil springcontacts 2 I 6 and and the switch mechanism operated thereby usually sufiice for gauging the flat ware 25) is formed with a contact boss. or which contacts with-the flat side of thepassing through the gauge 250.- Y a I m will now be de-.. scribed,- reference being had-to the-wiring 'dia- Referrin to Figs. prisesa-cylindrical'casing 256 in which is journ'alled a'continuouslyrotatingshaft 251. Keyed to the shaft aretwo disks strips or'shoes are twosector shaped brush The sector 262 rrles 264 bearing respectively onthe contactstrips 259 and 260. 'llhesector26I carries brushes 288 -and 266; engagingrespectively the contacts 259 258hajving mounted on their 1 peripheries arc-shaped electrical contact 259 and 260. [Mounted for'rota-f tive adjustment-about'the' axisof"the shaft 251 carriers-2H and 262.

contact brushes 2'63 and energized closes switch contacts 299 and 300, v

and 260. f Means for adjustingthe contact holda ers 26I and262 comprises anadjusting screw 281 threaded through a nut 268 connected by apair" o'f- 269 to'said'holde'rs. The screw26 1. 1 tilted y a knob f r adjusting the segments-- and the brushes carried thereby" and thereby adjustably varying the length of timethe :switch 253, controlled by the timer, is eflective during the gauging operation. Thetimer shaft 251 and contacts carried thereby are rotated continuously, by the main motor connected thereto through a train of gearing :including a wo v gear 21I keyed to the timer shaft and a worm wire 296, contact 292, relay coil Rand wire '29I. The relay'R remainsdeenergized for a short time after the relay R is energized. A

:circuit' for the relay R. is completed when the timerdisk .-.I1* has advanced toa point at which the, contact' 221-enga'ges a stationary contact 291. This circuit may be traced from the main 28I through wire 289, contacts 294 and 229,'con- .jductor 233, contacts 221, 291, wire 298, relay R contact-293, and wire 29I The relay R being thereby completing a circuit for the solenoid S.

11, flat ware-is being tested with the gauge 250 in use, the flat ware timer 255 is connected in the control circuit for thesolenoid-S and operates in conjunction with the main timer mechanism. The timer 255 is connected in the circuit by throwing a double pole switch 302 to the left as shownin Fig. 26'. If now a. bottleor flask going through the gauge 250 trips the switch 253, owing to a defect in the ware, a circuit is closed Y through-v one of the three relays R R R9, whichever may have been brought into the trip- "ping circuit by the timer disk I6. Assumin m; example, that the tripping of the switch 253 drive shaft 212. The timer shaft makes one complete rotation for'each article or gauging unit The electrical control syst gram (Fig. 26). The current may be taken from makes a circuit for the relay R, such circuit may be traced from the main 28I through a wire the mains 215 of a commercial line supplying,

for example, a 60 cycle 110 volt current. -A

switch 216 in. the mainline controls the supply. of current to the primary 21-1 of a step-down transformer. connected by main wires 218 and 219 in the primary circuit. The other control devices are con-.

.35 Thesolenoids S S and'S are nected in circuit with the secondary 280 of-the transformer; These controls include relays. Bl, R R R R R and RE, I v

The operation of the solenoid S is, as'heretofore described, ui1der the contro1. of the micro.- switch I30 actuated by the height gauge. When said switch is tripped it closes a circuit through:

284, relay R to main wire 283. This holding circuit is maintained until the. timer contacts 231 and 234 pass'the stationary contacts 286 and 281 and break the holding circuit so that the electromagnet S is deenergized.

The solenoid S is under the control of the leaker switch I38 and the empty head switch I Ifeither of said switches is tripped in the manner heretofore described, it makes a circuit. through the relay R by way of wires 289, 290 and 29I. The relay being energized closes switch contacts 292 and 293. The contact 292 completes a holding circuit for the relay 1'1 through the timer disk I1 the disk at this time being in such position that-the contact 229 engages a stationary contact 294 while the contact 23I engages a contact 295. This holding circuit may be traced from main 28I through wire 289, contacts 294, 229, -conductor233,-contacts 23I, 295,

303, switch 253, wires 304, 305, timer contacts 265, 259,260, 263, switch 302, wire 32], contacts 328, 2I9, 2I8, 329, wire 3, relay R and wire 3I2- to main 283. The relay being energized closes its contacts 3I3 and 3I4. This establishes I aholding circuit through the timer disk I5 which circuit is retained until the solenoid S is energized and operates to discharge the defective bottle for-delivery to the ofiware conveyor. The holding circuit for the relay R..may

be traced through wires 303, 3I5,-,timer."contacts 3I 6, 2I0, 3", wire -3I8, relay contact 3I3, relay R and wire 3.I2. After the relay holding circuit has been established thetimer disk I4 operates at a predetermined time to make a circuitfor the relay R". This circuit may be followed through wires 303, 3I9, relay R", wire 320,

timer contacts 32I, 201, conductor 209, contacts 208, 322, wire 323, relay contact 3I4, and wire Y 3I2. The relay R being thus energized closes contacts 324 and 325 and thereby completes a circuit for the solenoid S The solenoidoperates as heretofore described to efiect a discharge of the defective bottle.

' For round ware gauging the flat ware timer 1255 is cut out of circuit by throwing the switch the switch I84, a circuit is made for one of the 302 to the right. When a defective bottle passing through the body gauge 41 operates to trip relays R R R independent of the timer 255. For example, the circuit may again be traced through the timer R, such circuit being through wire 303-,=switch I84, wire 326, switch 302, wire 321 ,timer contacts328, 2I9, 2I0, 329, wire 3,

. relay R wire 3I2. The relay R being energized operates as before to establish a holding circuit which permits the timer disk I4 at a predetermined time. to energize the relay R and eflfect the operation of solenoid S The circuits for the relays R and B may be readily traced in the same manner as the circuit for relay R when the timer disks I6 or l6 are in position to establish such circuits.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim: 1. Apparatus for gauging the height of bottles or-other articles, comprising a horizontallytravgauge for discarding said last mentioned articles.

. mea'ns for attaching the articles eling conveyor on which the ed, article lilting devices, I said lilting devices above the conveyor and causing themto travel with the conveyor, means for lowering the lifting devices and causing them to seat on the articles and travel therewith, a

stationary gauge comprising a contact element, cooperating contact blocks carried by said lifta I a,ss2,oa1 articles are supporteansi r' upporting articles to ing devices at a height predetermined by the height, 01' said articles, said traveling contact blocks being arranged to ment on the gauge when the corresponding ar-- ticles are of a specified height andarran'ged to.

engage said contact element on the gauge when' the articles are'of a diflerent height and thereby actuate the gauge, and meanscontrolled by. the

2. Apparatus for testing round bottles or other round articles, comprising a series of article holders, an endless carrier to which said-holders are connected, means .for means for attaching the articles to said holders, a gauge comprising a contact engage the sides of the articles, means for rotating said holders and the articles carried thereby and causing the latter to roll I bar,. and electro-responsive means actuated by clear the contact 'ele- 1 travel or the articles prising seriesasses some? sausages endless-carrier tor the spindles, means for drive; I ;ing -said= ca'rrier. and causinaijthe. spindles to travel in a closedpath. a statiohary ga ze com-1- prising air-contact barjgositioned to contact. with I I traveling articles. i and means, for rotating said spindles and causingzthe 7 1 gat r. 91 m? $1 1 8 d 0 1 I the roundiiodiesfor t "e j 7. Apparatus'ior P s s. ies-. 1 i endless {carrier tor the spindles, means for .driving .said carrier-Sand -causi n'g the spindles'to' I Q path, gauging mec anism.

-"travel;in? a1 close'd' I I I I comprising a plurality of contact bars-arranged one-in advance of the Q other adjacentthe pathoifunder test, rneans 1or.hold'- Y ing said bars in-contact with thearticle's' while;

r the latter move along'the bars'means ror rotatdriving said carrier,

bar positioned to along the contact I movements of said bar for determining articles deviating from a specified diameter or shape.

3. Apparatus for testing round bottles or. other round articles, comprising a series of article holders, an endlesscarrier to which said holders are connected, means for driving said carrier, means for attaching the articles to said holders, a gauge comprising a contact bar positioned to engage the sides of the articles, means for rotating saidholders and the articles I causing the latter to roll along the contact bar, and electro-responsive means actuated'by movement of the bar to release the articles from their holders.

4. Apparatus for testing round bottles or'other round articles, comprising a series of article holders, an endless carrier to which haid holders are connected, means for driving said carrier,

carried thereby and to said holders,

a gauge comprising a contact bar positioned to engage the sidesof the articles, means for rotating said-holders and the articles carried thereby, I

and causing the latter to roll bar, electro-responsive means ment of the bar to release the holders, a conveyor positioned along the contact articles from their beneath the path of the article holders beyond the gauge, a deflec tor positioned beyond' the gauge, automatic means for releasing articles after they have. passed the deflector and delivering them to saidconveyor, and electro-responsive means for cause ing the release'of defective articles before reach-- ing the deflector and therebvsegregating them;

from the other articles.

5. Apparatus for actuated by move gauging round articles, comheld thereby and causing the latter to move along the 'contact bar, an electroeresponsive device bar whenthe latter is I e: valve casings prising article holding spindles, a contact bar having a stationary mounting, a

I carrier 'for the spindles,.means for driving the carrier and cans-' ing the articles held by the spindles tomove in succession along said contact bar in engagement with the round ated by said bar. and mechanism controlled by said electro-responsive means for segregatingv defective articles from the others. l I

6. Apparatus for gauging round articles',coinwith the latter surface oi. the-- article, means for rotating said spindles" and thereby rotating the articles as they move alongthe contact bar, electro-responsive means actu-v means comprising .jmagnet and the valve I path surrounding the axis' dies and "causing them ing the 'articIesI-and' causing rolling contact thereof with said bars;

I I I and-electroeresponsive means actuatedv by said bars, and mechanism controiledbysaid' electro-responsive means .!or from those 'oi" segregating detective articles specified size and shape.

8- Ap ara s.

ing said spindle with .an'article to-be tested, means. comprising a: vacuum I article for applying-suction within the article and thereby vacuumizin'g the article and causing it to Q be held by the spindle, 'ajvalve in the vacuum 1ine,a gauge comprising a contact bar, means for.

with the article held 'thereby and causing the latter to move along the contact bar, and automatic means actuated bysaid .bar for opening said valve,

moving. the spindle and releasingthe article.- a

9., Apparatus forprising a support g spindle, means for engaging said spindle witlr'an article: tobe tested,

I a' vacuum' line leading to the article for applying suction within-the article and thereby vacuumizingthe article and causing,

the spindle, a valve in the vacuum line, agauge comprising a contact bar,- 1

it to be new by means for moving the spindle with the "article actuated by. said contact actuated by a defective article, an electromagnet controlled'by said electro-responsive-device',

and operating connections between the electrowhen the'eiectromagnet is energized and therefrom said spindle.

I e 10,- A I machine for 'gau g in g bottle's or other; I 1' articles,

comprising a drive shaft, means for re tating it,- a' vacuum I by, means;

synchronismi with the rotation of said valve cas' ings, means providing, vacuum lines extending from. the fvac'uum'c'hamber through said valve 4 ca'sin'gs; and .to said spindles, I valves mounted tion applied-through I I II for gauging; said articles;

ge aereussemss. article holding spindles; fanor gauging hollow articles,-'' com- I prising a supporting spindle, means for ensag- "line'leading to the' breaking the vacuum I gauging-hollow articles, com

f open ng thelatter venting the article and" causing its release.

chamber, an annular series}: mounted to rotate with. said shaft, ag spindle'carrier, spindles carried there- {or driving said carrier in-a closed. l

of 'said'shait and in 

